Toledo 7, Richmond 5
Mike Maroth made his 2nd rehab start. He threw 74 pitches over 5 innings. He didn’t exactly cruise with 4 runs allowed on 7 hits. He also didn’t have any easy innings with a single run scoring in the 2nd through 5th innings. Chris Shelton was 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. Alexis Gomez homered.
Erie – DNP
Palm Beach 4, Lakeland 2
Jeremy Johnson allowed 1 hit and 1 walk against 3 K’s in 3 innings. Paul Hammond making his 3rd appearance with Lakeland allowed 3 runs, 2 earned in 2 innings. Chris Robinson had 2 hits while Jeff Frazier and Jeff Larish each were 1 for 3.
West Michigan, Kane County (in progress)
Oneonta 5, Auburn 2
Santo De Leon was 3 dor 4 with a homer. Matt O’Brien allowed 2 runs, 1 earned in 5 2/3 innings fanning 5 and walking none. Casey Fien pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings before Brett Jensen finished the game fanning 2 of the 3 batters he faced.
GCL Tigers 6, GCL Phillies 0
The Phillies were shutout despite getting 10 hits. Alfredo Figaro allowed 8 hits, walked none, and struckout 4 in 7 innings. Gorkys Hernandez was 3 for 5 Audy Ciriaco picked up 2 hits.
Some interesting things about Toledo.
First, Josh Phelps has been their best hitter all year. This guy played a couple years with the Blue Jays. Now it seems he and Shelton will share 1B/DH the rest of the season. This guy deserves a break somewhere. I actually expected him to be called up when Shelton was going so poorly. I know he’s not LH, but I was surprised the Tigers made the move for Casey. Phelps could have been just as productive for them (without giving away a pitcher). He’s batting well over .300 and 2/3 of his AB come against RH pitching. Last I looked he led the Hens in homers too.
There was some talk at the trade deadline about the Tigers picking up another pitcher. I’m glad they didn’t because they don’t need to give up anything to recall Chris Spurling. This guy has had some decent major-league success. I can’t understand why he is in Toledo instead of Roman Colon.
If the Tigers are going to REWARD some MudHens with a September callup I would vote for: Chad Durbin, Spurling, Lee Gardner, John Ennis and Bobby Seay. Realistically though, it will probably only be Spurling and Seay.
Oh, expect A. Gomez back 9/1 and don’t be surprised to see Rabelo as a 3rd catcher.
Jim, good stuff.
I do think the Tigers should have went for Tom Gordon. I don’t know that they didn’t, but I’m just saying that, for the playoffs specifically, there are few things you can pick up that have more positive impact than an excellent high-leverage reliever. I base this on work done by Nate Silver at Baseball Prospectus, very convincing stuff.
Even though Casey came for very little cost, I agree with you on Phelps…